Oh that it can definitely be depending on where you live.
Bottom line is this. A deviation on doctrine seems to me less fatal than having the sacraments throughout the Church suddenly become invalid. The Eucharistic presence is the beating, living, heart of Christ in the Church. I don't care what Catholic doctrines you are holding on to, if you have not the Holy Eucharist, isn't your Church practically speaking dead?
Is it really credible that Christ would allow His Bride the Church to fall into such grave error that everyone from the Supreme Pontiff to the pewsitter is now manifestly outside it, save for a few straggling remnants, none of whom agree with each other?
Good point.
Claud,
Your comment: “Is it really credible that Christ would allow His Bride the Church to fall into such grave error that everyone from the Supreme Pontiff to the pewsitter is now manifestly outside it, save for a few straggling remnants, none of whom agree with each other?”
Made me think of Calvin and the pre-destination of souls theory and the 144,000 elect to go to heaven. Neither of which I believe in, as an ultimate destination/definition of “a few straggling remnants.” And I realize that you didn’t infer either.
Of course it's credible!
Just read up on St Athanasius, Pope Liberius and the Arian heresy.
...Is it really credible that Christ would allow His Bride the Church to fall into such grave error that everyone from the Supreme Pontiff to the pewsitter is now manifestly outside it ....
Yes. It is credible, it is happening, and it is manifest.